How Awesome is the New 'Mockingjay - Part 1' Trailer?! It Looks Epic!

"It's the things we love most… that destroy us." Can we talk about how awesome the latest trailer is for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1? This sequel, only Part 1 of 2 (the second half is due November 2015) both directed by Francis Lawrence, hits theaters November 21st a few weeks after Interstellar. If I might say – this looks epic, I mean, seriously! The destruction, the stakes, the moments, Philip Seymour Hoffman!, freakin' Katniss, Jennifer Lawrence, the arrows, chills, Effie Trinket, President Snow, the White Rose, Peeta! It all looks so insanely awesome, yes yes yes. This is what we've been waiting for. I am so glad they went all out and are giving us the huge conclusion this deserves, even if it is two movies. Bring it on!

First things first, what I really love about this trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 is that it shows how much this movie is really a big, bold epic sci-fi. I mean it opens with a shot of a sleek stealth spaceship, and has tons of cool sci-fi shots and action beats. Let it out, Francis Lawrence! He's going nuts. Now, I'm not sure if all of this is all from Part 1, but if it is - damn. Did someone say something about not much action if split in two parts? There's tons in this. This ain't Hunger Games anymore, this is the big war finally unleashed, with battlefields and rebellions next to the personal story between Peeta, Katniss & Gale.

I love so much of the look of this. Check out these shots from the trailer that really evoke that epic feeling:

"Peeta is the Capitol's weapon, the same way you're ours." Some are saying the trailer shows a bit much, which may be the case if you don't want to see anything else from this. That's fine – as long as you already have your tickets and will be at the midnight shows of Mockingjay. But seriously, I would say stay away if you're already sold, but if not – then take a look. There's something unique about this series that I love and I can't help but feel very excited for the way the footage in this trailer looks. If Catching Fire was being called The Dark Knight of this series, then this is The Dark Knight Rises. All out war now, Katniss caught in the middle, betrayal. It's not really the same, but it is so many other interesting things making it that exciting.

The marketing for this next set of movies has been outstanding so far, Lionsgate has exceeded expectations and it's paying off. This trailer is kind of their final, big moment to debut. Looking back on that first teaser trailer from Comic-Con, this one really puts it to shame and shows so much more of the epic feeling. Where did it come from? I'm so curious to speak with Francis Lawrence about how much he is just going all out, and is it satisfying to be this big and epic and sci-fi and everything like that. I love the shot of the airdeck with the other gunships around it. That one almost has a Star Wars feel to it. How about that comparison?

"You will rescue Peeta at the earliest opportunity, or you will find another Mockingjay!"

I can only imagine what it would be like to start watching this series of movies with Mockingjay, but I would believe it's important to watch the first two. They explain so much of the first half of the story, and they're actually really good movies, too. Especially Catching Fire, which was just out in theaters last November last year. It's now one every year and we'll be at the conclusion next year with the middle one this year. Which is potentially a concern - how much more of this splitting can we take? Thankfully Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy wraps up in December, and I'm sure Interstellar won't need a sequel, will this Part 1 be too much of a tease? No matter what I'm betting this will be a huge hit and audiences will undoubtedly see the second half, which will be an even bigger hit. So it will pay off for Francis Lawrence and Lionsgate going big in the end.

I'm glad they're letting him play with something this big. The Hunger Games started out as a small story made to appeal to one quadrant, the next "Young Adult" sensation to fill in for Twilight once that was over. But it's years ahead of Twilight, in every way, from casting to story to the cinematic experience and the epic feeling behind it. And that's exactly why I'm so happy they're pushing right into that war and taking Katniss all the way to the brink. Fans have been following this very closely and deserve the attention to detail that is being poured into it as it continues. Luckily they found the best filmmaker possible who has held onto the idea behind Katniss. He knows exactly where it's headed and is ready to deliver an epic two-part conclusion.

Here's a look at this new Mockingjay - Part 1 trailer for your viewing pleasure - embedded from YouTube:

"I never wanted any of this, never wanted to be in the Games…" What can I say? I'm excited about these movies. From the first time I read The Hunger Games and watched Gary Ross' adaptation, I had that feeling in the back of my mind it would be exciting to watch this build into the epic, all-out war conclusion that it would inevitably lead to. But how long would that take, and would it be a worthy experience? It looks like it might be even be better than anticipated, at least there's a possibility it could end up being that good from the looks of what's in here. Everything about this latest trailer makes me happy and I have a good feeling Lawrence will nail this. I'm so anxious to dive back into this world and see all that they've been working on.

Anyway, after all of that rambling. My favorite scenes: her moment with Beetee, played by Jeffrey Wright; the reactions from Julianne Moore & Philip Seymour Hoffman when she confronts them; and the salutes all around her shot. Plus her shooting down that ship with an arrow - awesome! Can't wait! Are you excited?

Reader Feedback - 18 Comments

1

I'll watch this one on netflix right before I go see the conclusion in the cinema.
Can't stand this 2 part ending bull. It looks really good, but no, I'll just pay once to see the last adaptation,
thanks

Richie G on Sep 16, 2014

2

I agree 100%

Oblique on Sep 16, 2014

3

You sound like an incredibly pretentious asshole. Way to take a stand, bro. I'm sure you'll make a huge difference.

davidshaw on Sep 16, 2014

4

Yes, people are assholes for voicing their opinion. Sure. Thats really the problem with comments. Say something nice or shut up.

What some may not understand is that , in these type of epic 3-book sci-fi or swords/fantasy-type series , the 3rd book is often the thickest one . As the author has spent however many pages of two books setting up the finale , and now he just has to flesh out the ending , and it's consequences . Which often may have enough material for Hollywood to be able to spin into two movies . ..
Can they keep it fresh enough to hold interest over into a 4th Film in a Franchise ?? IDK how'd that work out for Terminator:Salvation ? .. we'll just have to find out ..
ST4 , for another ex , was basically a continuation of 2 and 3 ; while nobody hates the whales , it's not as beloved as 2 -Wrath of Khan or 3-Search For Spock

Dominic on Sep 17, 2014

8

Truer words. Thanks mate

Richie G on Sep 17, 2014

9

Not sure why you're taking personal offence, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry you didn't like my opinion.
The insults were a bit much though. Grow up

Richie G on Sep 17, 2014

10

I agree, but I'm not as patient as you are.

MattPeloquin on Sep 16, 2014

11

I wish it was patience. Being poor has made me a cynic. Movie spliting and people buying bad movies to complete a collection have become pet hates. If I had more money, I'm sure it would be a different story

Richie G on Sep 17, 2014

12

Why wasn't it considered a "Must Watch" then?

Zack Snyder on Sep 16, 2014

13

Well, I didn't write the post for the trailer! And we change the titles all the time. The movie is a must watch! But the trailer is just a trailer. As long as YOU watched it, that's all that matters. 🙂